Partnership for Excellence Conference Addresses Benefits of Mindful Practices

 

Partnership for ExcellenceThe 23rd Annual Partnership for Excellence Conference—the premiere forum for social sector leaders in Santa Barbara County—takes place on Tuesday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at The Fess Parker Doubletree Resort, 633 E. Cabrillo Blvd.

Founded by the Foundation Roundtable, the Partnership for Excellence Conference is a vital event that convenes a forum for funders and nonprofit leaders from the philanthropic sector to learn, share and network together —building connections and exploring ideas, strategies, and skills that can enhance our organizations, our work, and our communities.

The conference theme for this year is Mindful Leadership: Strengthening Focus and Purpose. Cultivating mindfulness in social organizations can unlock human potential, creating increased clarity of purpose in individual leadership and greater well-being in communities served. More than 500 attendees from Santa Barbara County’s philanthropic sector will gain insights into mindfulness practices being adopted by leaders, businesses, organizations and educational programs such as Stanford and Harvard, the top two business schools in the world.

This is the single largest annual gathering on the Central Coast convening regional foundations, nonprofit organizations, board members and community/business volunteers.

The keynote speaker is Leah Weiss Ph.D., who will present her research confirming that organizations and businesses are looking to leverage the benefits of mindfulness practices. Weiss’ interactive keynote will explore the science and practices of mindfulness and purpose along with actionable frameworks and practical, evidence-based tools for individuals and organizations in our community to generate deeper impact and personal satisfaction in their work.

“We are excited to bring this program to our community at a time when the scientific study of mindfulness is expanding. According to Dr. Weiss, the latest studies show that mindfulness improves work-related capacities such as focus, emotion management, memory, learning, decision making, and creativity.  For a sector in which dedicated leaders often experience overload, this conference will provide practical tools and peer-to-peer networking that will benefit many organizations,” says Palmer Jackson, Conference Chair and Executive Director, Ann Jackson Family Foundation.

For more information about the conference and registration information, click here.

—Leslie Dinaberg

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on March 29, 2016.